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Winning tenders to run government contracts is becoming an increasingly important source. There are widespread fears that this may contribute to a decline in criticism of the government. Mark Heywood, head of the Aids Law Project, which may close at the end of this month after government funding was cut back, says foreign funders are being warned, using the example of the USAid report, of funding “critical NGOs”, particularly those working on policy.
President Nelson Mandela mounted a severe attack at the Mafikeng conference last December on what he called “illegitimate NGOs” trying to subvert government . In this atmosphere, Heywood said: “If you are an NGO who works in an area where criticism is needed, do you shut up for fear of being branded illegitimate or subversive? Do you shut up for fear of losing funding? If you are dependent on government funding you are bound to think twice.”
An increasing amount of funding for NGOs comes from government contracts, or is funnelled through government-linked organisations – like the National Development Agency, expected to be up and running by July, or its predecessor, the Transitional National Development Trust – by foreign donors.
The Aids Law Project lost its bid for government funding because it allegedly did not meet the criteria for an NGO.
“In many ways our relationship with government is positive,” Heywood said. “In a project like ours, 90% of what we do has nothing to do with criticism. But when you get an issue like Virodene or Sarafina, what can we do? We are a human rights body and as such we have to take a stand.
“I don’t think it is the business of NGOs to form an opposition to government, but if they have expertise in an area where government falls short they should feel free to criticise,” Heywood said.
In the shift from a hostile policy environment to a democratically elected government, many organisations now see their role as part of a constructive partnership with the state.
“We no longer submit reports without recommendations,” says Irish. “People are learning to be clearer in their criticisms.”
Jabu Dada, defence and development project manager, says tension with the government can be managed creatively to build effective partnerships. “Some NGOs are paranoid about their independence and don’t want to work with the government, but NGOs have a very important role to play and can help, for instance, in establishing creative communications strategies.”
Dada’s project, which falls under the auspices of the Group for Environmental Monitoring, is working with the Department of Defence on a variety of defence-related issues.
“We are redefining security, asking ‘where is the real threat coming from?’ and we have a good relationship with government, but it is a joint collaboration.”
NGOs certainly have an edge on government when it comes to creativity, flexibility and a lack of red tape. And the fact that the government has absorbed an estimated 60% of the NGO workforce since 1994 means that NGO workers can often find a sympathetic ear in government departments.
But, says Irish, the volunteer core of NGOs has given way to a new generation that wants to be well paid, and this, together with a shift from human rights-oriented to development- based funding has left a gap – and given rise to the danger that organisations will become less critical when they enter partnerships with the government.
“If you are doing research for the government in one area, will your challenge in other areas be as strong as it should be?” asks Irish.